By Richard L. Gaw

Staff Writer

On other days throughout the year, the Kennett High School gymnasium is filled with the sounds of busy feet running up and down a basketball court, maneuvering on a wrestling mat or participating in gym class, but for one afternoon a year, the venue echoes with the sound of more than 1,000 chocolate aficionados clamoring for chocolate treats, including cakes, brownies, candies, cookies and cupcakes.

That day is about to arrive once more.

The 2018 Kennett Chocolate Lover's Festival will be held on Feb. 11, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kennett High School gymnasium, and will feature sweet confection entries from over 200 professional, amateur and student bakers, who will all compete for bragging rights, ribbons and prizes by donating their best chocolate desserts to this event.

The festival will benefit the United Way of Southern Chester County (UWSCC), which serves the needs of residents of four Pennsylvania school districts: Avon Grove, Kennett, Oxford, and Unionville-Chadds Ford. The UWSCC provides support to 26 different health and human service programs, and assisted more than 18,000 residents in southern Chester County last year.

For the first time, the festival will offer a Kiddie Korner, coordinated by Patton Girl Scout Troop #4705, that will feature face painting, photos with fun characters sponsored by Schaen Photography, and cookie decorating crafts, for children ten years and younger.

General admission tickets are $10 each, or $30 for family of 4 (online discount only), an each ticket includes six regular tastings per person. Tickets are available online in advance by visiting www.kennettchocolate.org, or at the door beginning at 1:00 p.m. Parking for general admission is $5.00 per car. Additional tastings are available for $.50 each, and take-home containers will be available for purchase at $10 per container.

General admission ticket holders will be permitted to enter the festival at 1 p.m. Kennett High School Gymnasium is located at Kennett High School, 100 E. South Street, in Kennett Square. For additional information, call 610-444-4357; or email [email protected].

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].